Government's Policy Stance on Telemedicine and Teleconsultation
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the government’s policy and regulation regarding tele-consultation and telemedicine services, as raised by Mr Teo Ser Luck. Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong stated that telemedicine provides timely care and patient empowerment, guided by the 2015 National Telemedicine Guidelines and the 2016 Singapore Medical Council ethical codes. He emphasized that the standard of care via virtual platforms must be comparable to face-to-face consultations, with doctors responsible for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Currently used as an extension of care for stable patients after an initial physical visit, doctors must refer patients for physical assessments if remote diagnosis is uncertain. The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor developments and review regulations to ensure patient safety and welfare while supporting new, beneficial care models.
Transcript
62 Mr Teo Ser Luck asked the Minister for Health in view of recent developments in technology application in the healthcare sector, what is the Ministry's policy and regulation with regard to (i) tele-consultation between doctors and patients and (ii) telemedicine in areas of prescription, treatment and diagnosis.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: Telehealth platforms enable patients to receive care in convenient locations of their choice. Patients can receive more timely advice and intervention to manage their conditions without having to schedule an appointment to visit a healthcare institution. This reduces the caregiver burden and empowers individuals to take an active role in their health.
In 2015, the Ministry of Health (MOH) issued a set of National Telemedicine Guidelines to guide healthcare providers in the safe and appropriate delivery of healthcare services through telemedicine. This is complemented by the Singapore Medical Council's Ethical Code and Ethical Guidelines and accompanying Handbook on Medical Ethics issued in 2016 that set out the standards of care required of doctors practising telemedicine.
Based on the guidelines, the standard of care expected of doctors providing telemedicine should be comparable to what patients would receive in a face-to-face consultation. Doctors providing care via virtual platforms have a responsibility to ensure that the remote diagnosis made is accurate and that patients receive appropriate medical advice and management for their conditions. If in doubt, doctors should offer to see the patients face-to-face to conduct a physical assessment or refer the patient to the nearest clinic or healthcare institution.
Today, telemedicine is typically offered as an extension of care for stable patients, taking place after a doctor has had an initial face-to-face consultation with the patient and is satisfied that the patient is suitable to be followed up via telemedicine. As telemedicine services continue to evolve, MOH will monitor the developments and review our policies and regulations so as to enable new care models that are beneficial for patients, while ensuring their safety and welfare at all times.